I am lucky enough to live in Portland, Oregon, home of Powell’s City of Books and many other independent bookstores including one of my favorites–A Children’s Place.
Independent bookstores are more than a place to buy books. They are places of knowledge.
For years, I had been looking for a beloved book from my childhood. I couldn’t remember the title so when I went into A Children’s Place and asked Kira P. for “this wonderful book about a hedgehog who has plants grow on him” I was not that hopeful.
But I browsed and a few minutes later Kira asked if the book I was looking for was Miss Jaster’s Garden by N.M. Bodecker. Yes! Oh, yes! That’s the book I wanted with little Hedgie, the flowerhog, and piano-playing Miss Jaster.
Neither Google nor Amazon could bring Hedgie back to me. Hedgehog is NOT in the title making key word searching very difficult. I needed Kira and her expertise. My independent bookseller is smarter than the internet. So there!
Yes! The wealth of knowledge in indies is astounding. I will support them with my dollars, even if they are more expensive than Company Who Cannot Be Named but rhymes with Hamazon.
And now I want to read about hedgehogs. You saw them all over the place when I was growing up in England–where do they hang out in the U.S.?
Michael, sadly we have no native hedgehogs in North America. 🙁 I grew up reading stories with hedgehogs in them (though not this one–another one to add to my interlibrary loan list) and always wished I had them in my garden. 🙂
I am so jealous that you have seen real hedgehogs, Michael!!!
I would love to read this! It looks adorable. We have read lots of hedgehog books in my PreK class, and this would be a nice addition. Hedgehogs really are so cute.
Hedgie and Miss Jaster are back in print! Give it a search online or take a look at our site, http://www.purplehousepress.com. It’s one of my favorite books and I can see why the story stayed with you!